Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important report. Its results, like those of previous EPA reports were, unfortunately, greeted with a sigh of resignation across north County Dublin. It is nothing we have not seen before. For many years, people have been raising their voices to highlight the dire quality of bathing water in Balbriggan. The State and Fingal County Council have turned a blind eye to the deterioration of water quality. In 2017, water quality in Balbriggan was declared to be vulnerable but, rather than the situation being addressed, it has been left to fester and has deteriorated further. One of the main water quality problems lies in the contamination of the Bracken river with animal and human waste, as well as oil spills and dumps. Immediate action is needed if we are to improve the waters at Balbriggan beach for locals and tourists alike.

It is important to state that this is a local issue. Local people are invested in and concerned about it. Part of the reason they are concerned is that those who search for news on Balbriggan will find a report referring to poor bathing water quality, rather than one that says it is a wonderful, vibrant and thriving town with a gorgeous beach and amenities and is a brilliant place to bring one's family for an afternoon. Unfortunately, it is bad news that is to be found. Those contemplating a day trip would cross Balbriggan off their list. They should not do so, of course. Anyone listening to these proceedings should come to Balbriggan; it is a lovely place. It is really unfair that the town, which is constantly struggling to better itself and be as good as it can be, is being crossed off people's lists on that basis. Groups like Thrive Balbriggan, residents' associations and others have come together to make the town better, yet people from outside looking in see something negative, such as no-swim notice or a report of poor quality water.

At a recent protest, there was a very clear message for the Government, Fingal County Council, the EPA and Uisce Éireann. In order to tackle the water quality issues,four things have to happen. A bund needs to be constructed for the surface water drainage network before it enters the river. The sewage overflows, leaks and misconnections that are causing effluent to enter the river and sea must be fixed. That will require investigation, as well as the powers that be acknowledging that these are not isolated incidents. There is a pattern here. Treating every spill or incident as though it is an isolated one will not get to the root of the problem. Oil and diesel spills into the Bracken river need to be investigated and the habitats along the river must be restored in line with the council's restoration targets under the biodiversity action plan. These are the changes that are needed to address the water quality failings at Balbriggan beach. The reactive approach that has been the hallmark of the response to date is unacceptable. The people of Balbriggan and north County Dublin want transparency and a workable plan for immediate action. For many years, they have endured these bathing restrictions. It is a wonderful resource and should be safeguarded and nurtured by the council, EPA, Government and Uisce Éireann. As I stated, it has serious potential to attract visitors to what is a vibrant town that, unfortunately, gets a bad press.

A previous speaker indicated that he knocks on doors - I am sure he does - but that nobody ever raises the issue of water with him. Well it is raised with me in Balbriggan all the time. We have a regular stall in Balbriggan every Saturday morning and we canvass there at least once a week and the issue of water quality comes up all the time. I was very proud to march with the people of Balbriggan on 17 June in support of safe bathing water. Let the Minister of State be under no illusions: they are extremely angry, and rightly so. This is a wonderful resource that is being denied to them. I thank the swimming groups, namely, the Selkies and the Balbriggan Swimming Socks, as well as the Tidy Towns and all the organisations that came together to shout with one clear voice. They were clear that if this issue is not resolved, they will be back on the streets. They will take their protest to county hall, Government Buildings and the Custom House and they will keep shouting. They value their water resource, namely, the bathing water and beaches in Balbriggan. They want their commitment to be matched by the Government, Fingal County Council, the EPA and Uisce Éireann.

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